Chapter 16 A Private Conversation #3
Billy was walking toward the elevators after dining with the Veronique gang in the private dining room as Greg was leaving the main desk where he’d checked for messages.
Billy shook his head, realizing that he and Greg were going to intersect at the elevators.
He lifted his head and forced a smile on his face.
“Good morning, Greg,” he called before Greg had noticed him.
“Hi, Billy. How are things going?” Greg asked as he looked up to see him there.
“Pretty good for me.” Billy tipped his Stetson softly and settled it back in place firmly. “Veronica has the concerts starting early enough that I can still do the opening for her before sunset.”
“Oh, that’s right,” Greg said, with a snap of his fingers in front of his waist. “You can’t play for money on the Sabbath.” He shook his head. “I still can’t quite understand why you believe like that Billy.”
“It’s my messianic Jewish side,” Billy said as they reached the elevator. “Which is also why I’m agreeing to you meeting Carry in my room,” he added in a whisper.
“Thanks Billy. I really appreciate it,” Greg replied softly, then pressed the up button by the elevator.
“The past year has been rather difficult, and now I’m finally starting to understand how I’ve missed so many things, and mishandled so many others because I was lost and didn’t realize that I didn’t even understand what I wanted or needed. ”
“Hopefully you have that sorted,” Billy said as the doors opened and he stepped in.
Greg followed him in. “I guess you are human after all.” Billy pressed the button for the sixth floor, and Greg pressed for the seventh.
“Just remember that Carry is human also, and her last year wasn’t easy either.
Those missed opportunities to ‘close the deal’ as you would say left her wondering where she really stands with you. ”
“Billy,” Greg softly said as he looked him straight in the eye. “I’ve never tried to hurt Carry, even though I know I have hurt her.”
“Several times, Greg. But this thing with Veronica and you, it’s really tearing at Carry.”
“Can’t be easy for her working for Veronica while I’ve been such an emotional train wreck.” Greg shook his head and looked down. “I’m not proud right now.”
“Then, make sure you lay it all on the line and hold nothing back,” Billy said firmly and looked Greg straight in the eyes when he looked back up. “Because that is one very special woman. She’s been there for me while I recover from losing Mia over my change in music genre.”
“She’s wonderful that way,” Greg acknowledged.
“And that is one of the qualities that draws me toward her.” He held Billy’s gaze before continuing on.
“My problem is that both Veronica and Carry make me nearly lose my mind as my heart races around both of them. I honestly wish I had only met one or the other, but Mary told me that I needed both of them to get back on my feet.”
“And are you back on your feet now?” Billy asked, slightly concerned.
“They put me back on my feet, but I still have to find my balance,” Greg answered genuinely. The elevator slowed. “I don’t think I’d be here if it wasn’t for them.”
“This is my floor,” Billy lightly declared as the elevator stopped. “The girls all have makeup to do before the shoot, so stop by a little early so you can get started sooner and have some time to cover things.”
“Okay, how about ten-fifteen?”
“That’ll work. We’ll see you then,” Billy said with a tip of his Stetson before he stepped off the elevator. “See you in a while,” he called back as the doors closed.
Greg leaned back against the cabin wall and rode the elevator on up to his floor.
He spent the next couple of hours reviewing accounts and information feeds from the teams as they continued their campaigns to win clients away from the Marsdens via Operation Full Court Press.
Kelly and his team were making excellent progress.
‘He earned that promotion to Senior Associate,’ Greg thought as he reviewed the information his team had submitted.
‘Seven clients have moved to Pimico from Marsden’s Investments – that’s significant progress.
Way to go,’ he was thinking when there was a knock on the door.
He locked the computer screen then got up to go to the door.
He looked through the peep hole to see Cassie standing there, shaking in place.
He quickly opened the door and instinctively grabbed her arm to pull her inside and shut the door behind her. “Cassie? What are you doing here?”
“I need you to contact Keith. I texted him, but got no response. It’s critical.”
“Are you alright, Cassie?”
“NO!” she said as she started pacing. “I saw Millard.”
“What?!” Greg said with shock. “Where and when?”
“I saw him in the lobby just a few minutes ago,” she said still visibly shook.
“Alright,” he said, then pulled her to himself in a tight hug. “Relax. You are perfectly safe here.” He soothed her by running his hand up and down her back.
“Greg,” she whispered. “Do you think Ben will reject me when I tell him the truth that I am the daughter of a Mafia Matriarch?”
“From what I know of Ben Whittage, that man is so into you that he wouldn’t care one red cent.
You two look good together, and last I spoke with Fred, Ben’s looking forward to us visiting for the YellaWood 500, especially you.
” He held her close and tried to comfort her until she finally started relaxing.
“So, can you contact Keith?” she nearly demanded. He let her go, then reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. She looked intently at him. “Well?”
“Here, Cassie. I’m dialing the number, but why don’t you speak directly to him?”
“Will he answer,,” she began when she heard the response.
“Boss? Is there something wrong?” Keith asked as he answered the phone.
“Yes, Keith. It’s Cassie. I texted you but you didn’t respond.”
“Yes, sorry about that. Brick and I were digging through the latest upload from Jack.” He took a breath. “What’s wrong?”
“Millard’s here!” she nearly shouted. “I don’t know who he’s tracking or who he’s targeting, but I saw him in the lobby.”
“Calm down,” Keith said softly. “Randy is there. I’ll let him know.”
“Thank you, Keith. We need to get the Exit Plan going pronto. I don’t think Carry or I can stay much longer without one of us being taken out. I can’t keep up the double agent stuff.”
“Alright, I’ll get Danny on top of it right away. Since you are with Greg, just stay close to him when you sense danger. Eddie is shadowing him.”
“Just Eddie?” she protested softly. “Eddie is no match for ‘the Enforcer,’ and you know that!”
“Calm down Cassie,” Keith said in a gentle soothing voice. “He’s the lead. He’s got a full team. He’s also got Sam the Texas Ranger at his disposal.”
“OMG! Are you trying to get everyone killed. Millard shot that man nineteen times and he walked away!”
“Sam’s the best they have and is Eddie’s cousin.” Keith took a breath. “I’ll make sure they keep Sam in the shadows.”
“Okay,” Cassie said as she started to calm down. “What do you think he wants?”
“Right now, he’s just tracking from what we understand,” Brick called in. “Seems that the Matriarch gave him orders to follow the group and report back.”
“Really? So he’s not targeting anyone?” Cassie asked with incredulousness.
“To the best of my knowledge,” Brick answered. “He’s never taken a shot without authorization before.”
“Then he’s here watching over Wendy,” she let slip out.
“Possibly. He loves that girl of his,” Brick confirmed.
“Just stay close to Greg, Cassie. Danny and I will work together to expedite the exit process,” Keith confirmed. “If anything goes wrong, send the Nine One One and hide. We’ll come find you.”
“You aren’t going to abandon me?” she asked with uncertainty.
“No way. You are far too important to all of us. Cassie, Ben Whittage would whoop my ass if I let anything happen to you,” Keith added.
“Okay, thanks. Bye!” She disconnected the call and handed the phone back to Greg. “I feel a little better,” she said then looked up and kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome Cassie,” Greg said softly. “You know how to find me.”
“I can always follow Carry if I don’t know where you are,” she suggested. “Though with what Veronica’s doing, I have to know what’s going on with you.”
“To be honest, Cassie,” Greg said with a sad look on his face, “I don’t even know anymore.
Erica took almost everything from me last year, and I’m only now starting to understand what both Veronica and Carry did to put me back on my feet.
I don’t want to hurt either of them, but I also don’t know if what I’ve experienced for the past year has been real or just me protecting myself. ” He let out a long exasperated sigh.
“Greg,” she said softly and he looked down at her. “You are a good man, and I can see the confusion in your eyes as well as hear it in your voice. Do everyone a big favor.”
“What’s that?”
“Open up and expose everything to Carry. She deserves to know if she misread the situation with you two, or if you are hurting far more from what she did in walking away from Pimico and you than you have let on.” She gave him a hug.
“It is what is best for everyone, even if it means you and Carry don’t get back together. ”
“Thanks, Cassie. You better get back before you are missed.”
“I’ll see you at the shoot,” she said, then turned and walked out the door as Greg collapsed onto the couch.
“Ben’s a lucky man,” he thought aloud. “And Carry’s lucky she’s got some kind of family available to her. Keith’s been right about them.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I need to get down to Billy’s room,” he continued and forced himself off his couch and out the door.
Billy opened the door on the second knock. He smiled brightly then gave Carry a tight hug. “Greg’s not here yet, so come on in and get comfortable. I’ll get you some water.”